Emil F. Pai is retiring after more than 25 years at the University of Toronto. Emil joined the Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics from the Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg in 1991 as a NSERC Industrial Research Chair following a global search for a renowned protein crystallographer to nucleate structural biology at the University of Toronto. Emil was already well-known for determining the first crystal structure of a flavoenzyme, glutathione reductase, as well as those of H-Ras P21 oncogene GTPase and an actin-DNase complex. A Tier 1 CRC since 2002, Emil published over 220 papers now with over 12,000 citations.

Jean-Philippe Julien (SickKids and U of T) and Vivian Saridakis (York University) organized a symposium on July 18th featuring presentations by former Pai lab members and a Connell Lecture by friend and colleague Greg Petsko (Weill-Cornell Medicine). A retirement event at the Faculty Club the following week featured a string of speakers who highlighted Emil’s stellar scientific career and his role in shaping the careers of trainees. Emil is a hands-off supervisor who lets his students and post-docs develop their own projects. Emil will continue working on some collaborative projects but he is also looking forward to spending more time with his family.